The Wasp — 1888 — page 476: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts an Irish immigrant ("Old Roman") struggling through treacherous terrain toward a distant goal labeled "Second Term Struggle for the Republic." The figure wears a banner reading "Leland" and carries barrels marked "OK" and "Red Eye" (likely references to whiskey or alcohol). The cartoon mocks Irish political ambitions, appearing to criticize Irish-American involvement in politics or a specific candidate's bid for reelection. The harsh landscape and precarious footing suggest the difficulty of achieving political goals. The alcohol imagery plays into period stereotypes about Irish immigrants. Without clearer dating or additional context, the specific "second term" reference and candidate identity remain unclear, though this reflects common 19th-century anti-Irish satirical tropes in American publications.